The Week in Art Art Basel Miami Beach, Louvre crisis deepens, Helene Schjerfbeck
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Dec 5, 2025 
Ben Sutton, Editor-in-chief at The Art Newspaper, and Kabir Jhala, art market editor, report live from Art Basel Miami Beach, discussing the fair's upbeat mood and standout sales, including a surprising $15 million Frida Kahlo. Vincent Noce highlights a deepening crisis at the Louvre due to staff strikes and operational issues, revealing the museum's financial missteps. Curator Dita Amory dives into Helene Schjerfbeck's evocative painting, The Tapestry, exploring its modernist style and personal narrative, shedding light on the artist's unique approach.
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Louvre's Crisis Is Systemic Not Isolated
- The Louvre faces a systemic crisis of maintenance, staffing and morale exposed before and after the October heist.
- Vincent Noce says neglect, frequent strikes and structural failures show deeper organisational failure than a single event.
Audit Found Neglected Security And Rising Strikes
- The Cour des Comptes warned the Louvre had long neglected security and maintenance before the heist.
- Vincent Noce highlights 650% more strikes in 2024 as evidence of long-term operational problems.
Ambitious Entrance Plan Ballooned To €1.1bn
- The new entrance project grew into a much larger €1.1bn plan incorporating security upgrades and renovations.
- The Cour des Comptes deems the expanded project financially unviable without major sponsorship.
